“What Happens When the Gifts are in Full Operation”

 Preacher: Pastor John H. West, III
Date: March 14, 1999
Notes: Continuing Series on Unity

Our Text: Ephesians 4:11-16

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.  (Ephesians 4:11-16)

What Kind of Church?

We don't want to be a weak or fractional church.  We want to be a church full of power and purpose. I am asking myself what people see when they visit Siloam Baptist Church.  When a person comes to Siloam one time, or returns after being away for some time, what do they see?  What makes the greatest impression?  Five years ago, I was new and I saw everything with fresh eyes.  But, as time has transpired, my vision of this church is not as new.  I can't tell what other people see, but I can hope that they see:

Last week, we studied the spiritual gifts.  Everyone should have at least one gift.  Some may have three.  Others may have five.  Nobody has all of the gifts, but everybody has at least one gift.  We must learn what our gifts are.   If we don't use it, we will lose it.

 

Matthew 25:14-30

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed:
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

This week, we are studying what happens when the gifts are in full operation.   What happens when people operate in their gifts? 

Our main text (Ephesians 4:12-16) tells us at least two things that happen when the church operates in their spiritual gifts:   God's people are prepared for service, and the body is built up and grows up.

 

God's People Are Prepared For Service

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  (Ephesians 4:12)

The purpose of the spiritual gifts is to prepare God's people for works of service, and to effectively serve the Lord.  The key is "God's people."  We are the ones who need to do these works.  It does not say that the preacher should do the work.  It does not say that the missionaries should do the work.  It does not say that the hired employees should do the work.  If you are a child of God, there is service for you to do in the vineyard.  Some people think the pastor should do everything:

They expect the preacher to do everything, but God did not intend His people to sit back and spectate... evaluate... and procrastinate.

There is room in the vineyard for all of us.  While vacationing in the Poconos, we saw a sign that said “Reverend So-and-so is the pastor... everyone else is a minister.”  If you know someone who needs prayer, don't bring them to the pastor.  You pray for them!

Shepherds can not beget sheep.  You have to take up your cross and follow Jesus.   When the gifts are in operation, all of God's people do the work of the ministry.

 

The Body Is Built Up And Grows Up

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  (Ephesians 4:12)

Financial growth is not the same as spiritual growth.  The number of members doesn't mean anything.  You can have lots of members and yet be spiritually dead.   You can have lots of money and be spiritually poor. 

How many people go to prayer service or Bible study or ministry work?  How many people truly love... not that phony kiss on the cheek, but true love?   These things determine real spiritual growth.

When the gifts are in operation, there is an unexplainable love that makes us care for each other, minister to each other, and meet the needs of each other.

We should not be like crabs in a barrel.  When one crab reaches the top, the other crabs pull it back down.  You don't have to put a lid on the barrel.  We need to do the opposite and lift each other up.

 

Ephesians 4:14

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  (Ephesians 4:14)

In this scripture, we see three things that you will not see if the spiritual gifts are in operation in the church:

  1. We won't be spiritually immature
  2. We won't be impotent
  3. We won't be unstable

 

We Won’t Be Spiritually Immature

Spiritually immature people don't know if they are saved or what their spiritual gifts are or how to live a holy life.  They don't lead others to Christ.

When the spiritual gifts are in full operation, you won't be spiritually immature.   You won't scratch your head and say, "I'll ask Rev. about it."  You will know for yourself.

 

We Won’t Be Impotent

When hard times come, impotent peoples' faith fails.  When they face tribulation, suffering or death, they get mad at God.  They praise God in good times, but desert the Lord in trouble.

If you are a child of God, you will praise God anyhow.  Praise Him when you are up.  Praise Him when you are down. 

Praise Him when you get a pat on the back Praise Him when you get stabbed in the back
Praise Him in season Praise Him out of season

 

We Won’t Be Unstable

Unstable people are blown by the winds of teaching.  They are easily led astray by false doctrines. 

Beware wolves in sheep's clothing.  They look and feel like the real thing, but their doctrine comes from the devil.  Some call themselves preachers.  Many even say they are Baptist.  But if those people say that it is okay for homosexuals and lesbians to marry, then they are false prophets.  The Bible says:

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  (Corinthians I 6:9-10)

Some people say that the world will end at Y2K.  These people are just trying to make money off of other people's fears. 

 

Conclusion

When the gifts are in operation, you can:

We need each other's gifts to bless our lives.  The only person we need to worry about pleasing is Jesus.  The only thing that matters is to hear Jesus say, "Well done."